It's evident to those who know Pilgrim Fellowship (PF) that it's one of most successful and active youth mission groups on the shoreline. On Sept. 23, new PF Executive Director Judy Wallace saw that evidence firsthand, at her very first meeting with the entire group.

"There were 154 members attending the opening picnic, and some 70 of them were new members," recalls Judy. "It's the word of mouth, it's the kids, that make Pilgrim Fellowship what it is."

PF is a young adult service group based out of First Congregational Church. Open to any denomination, its members fundraise, provide community service, meet weekly, and cap off each year by traveling to complete a major service project-usually refurbishing buildings or creating new construction, as well as providing manpower and materials-in an impoverished American community.

As a former Youth Group Leader and Mission Trip Leader with First Baptist Church of Branford, Judy knows the value young people receive from working to raise funds and then providing mission service to communities in need. She has led trips to New Orleans and the Appalachian region of Tennessee.

"I think that the kids that go are so moved and changed that when they come back, they talk about it," she says, adding that being a part of a group is important to teenagers. "It makes teenagers feel not alone, it makes them feel what they have to give is important, and it makes them part of a group. And in this group, the kids hold each other up."

This year's group mainly consists of Guilford teens from area faith groups, although youths from other shoreline towns do participate. Judy truly values the 33 remarkable youth leaders assisting her with this year's PF group.

"These are high school juniors and seniors who have been in the program, have been on the mission trips, and show such leadership qualities. One of the neatest things about the opening picnic was seeing the youth leaders step up and play games with 154 kids. The younger members look up to them. One of the goals of this leadership group is really wanting to make sure the new members feel welcome."

A Branford resident with her husband, Jeff, Judy credits their children Jason (now a sophomore in college) and James (grade 7), as well as Jeff, for helping her get involved with assisting church youth and community programs.

"I taught Sunday school for a lot of years for children and as my own children got involved in programs, so did I," says Judy.

With First Baptist, Judy served as youth group leader, mission leader, and Sunday school teacher. She led an American Baptist Churches of Connecticut (ABCCONN) Young Emerging Leaders program and currently serves as an active member of ABCCONN's Department of Educational Ministries. Through Branford's First Congregational Church, she was a day camp counselor at Killam's Point Vacation Bible Camp, as well as camp director. Judy's an active member of Branford's Coalition for the Prevention of Underage Drinking and Branford School-Age Mentoring Program and is an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop Pack 428.

A talented costume technician (including creative work with Yale School of Drama, Long Wharf Theater, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Opera House, and New York Broadway theaters), Judy says she enjoys her chosen profession, but being hired as PF executive director is "a job that I have prayed for, for years!"

She's delighted to work with a dedicated group of adults, from the motivated PF board to the talented and caring community members assisting on annual mission trips.

"The support in this group is amazing. It's a well-oiled machine, from the advisors and professionals who give their time to come on the mission trip to the great support the board provides."

Judy's looking forward to working with her young PF members, and seeing the community's legendary support of PF fundraising programs, including fall leaf raking, Breakfast with Santa, Soup & Bread Dinner, and Talent Show.

"I understand that the community embraces all of the events they do," says Judy, adding, "I'm so truly excited! The numbers in this group are a little overwhelming, but the kids that are in the group already are so responsible. They want to make it work as much as I do."